A Cheat to Make Secret Switches More Visible

[Jerakeen]

WARNING: This thread contains information about modifying your game files. If you modify your game, it may change in ways you don't expect or want. These modifications are not designed or supported by Spiderweb Software. Use at your own risk.

 

I wasn't going to post this, because it's really a humongous cheat, but based on some of the discussions here I think it may improve some people's gaming experience.

 

And you don't have to use it if you don't want to.

 

Windows: Open the Avadon Files folder and then the Scripts folder.

 

Mac: Right-click on the Avadon icon and select "Show Package Contents". Open the Contents folder and then the Resources folder.

 

Now find and open avobjsmisc.txt (make a back-up copy first, as always) and find this:

 

 

Code:

 

begindefineobject 202; import = 90; ob_object_type = 11; ob_name = "Secret Door"; ob_graphic_template = 7; ob_graphic_sheet = 0; ob_base_icon_num = 6; ob_default_script = "secdoor";begindefineobject 203; import = 91; ob_object_type = 11; ob_name = "Secret Door"; ob_graphic_template = 7; ob_graphic_sheet = 0; ob_base_icon_num = 7; ob_default_script = "secdoor";

 

Change it so it looks like this (two extra lines added):

 

 

Code:

 

begindefineobject 202; import = 90; ob_object_type = 11; ob_name = "Secret Door"; ob_graphic_template = 7; ob_graphic_sheet = 0; ob_base_icon_num = 6; ob_default_script = "secdoor"; ob_graphic_effect = 13;begindefineobject 203; import = 91; ob_object_type = 11; ob_name = "Secret Door"; ob_graphic_template = 7; ob_graphic_sheet = 0; ob_base_icon_num = 7; ob_default_script = "secdoor"; ob_graphic_effect = 13;

 

Secret door switches will now have small sparkles in their vicinity. You will still have to look out for them, but at least it will be possible.

 

If you want to make them even more obvious, use graphic effect # 15; switches will emit puffs of smoke.

 

To make them absolutely impossible to miss, use graphic effect # 11 (courtesy of Kiread); wild and crazy lightning? Steam? Anyway, it will definitely get your attention.

 

Note that because this edit makes use of animation effects, it will only work if you have the graphics on the highest setting.

 

It was previously thought that the Mac App Store version of the game could not be modified, but at least one person has reported successfully doing so. You may need to enter the admin password to replace the original files with the editor files.

 

Mac users who have the Steam version: if you're having trouble finding the game files, see this post.

Edited December 27, 2015 by Lilith
added warning

[jlsgaladriel]

Oh, I like the sparklies.

[Fael]

Took a while, but I'm starting my second play-through and the first thing I did was implement this. Thank you! Very, very nice!

[Silterethene]

Agreed. Fantastic job. However, I noticed that it didn't work for a few switches. The secret switch in Zhethron's library comes to mind.

Any idea why this would be?

[Jerakeen]

Did you add the line to both object descriptions (202 and 203)? If I remember correctly, it's 203 that affects east-facing switches like the one in Zethron's library.

[Silterethene]

No, I did not, and having done so now has solved the problem. Thank you very much for clarifying this.

[Kennedy]

Probably easier to alter the scripts than to alter the graphics used for the hidden switch.

[A less presumptuous name.]

Altering scripts would require that you find each script for each zone with a switch. Altering the graphics (by adding what, one or two lines of code?) adds the effect to every switch in the game. This way, you don't have to find them to make them more obvious.

[Mea Tulpa]

I think by "alter graphics" he meant edit image files and by "alter scripts" he meant edit the graphics modifier in the scripts.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, editing graphics would be something like drawing a button with a big letter 'S' on the picture that was displayed for the secret button, where as altering the scripts is what was originally suggested in the beginning of the thread.

[Micawber]

Plus, the sparkly effect is kind of cool-looking. Whereas surfaces emblazoned with a big letter S, not so cool. Superman, take note.

[Mea Tulpa]

Are you saying Superman needs more sparkles?

[nikki.]

Up to a limit, yes. Nobody wants Superman looking like a MySpace profile.

[Fael]

Plus, the sparkles also get added to traps, which amuses me.

[Dantius]

Originally Posted By: Impudent Strumpet!

Up to a limit, yes. Nobody wants Superman looking like Edward Cullen.

FYT

[Micawber]

Originally Posted By: CRISIS on INFINITE SLARTIES

Are you saying Superman needs more sparkles?

Yes, Superman needs a makeover. The look hasn't changed much in the last 80 years.

[nikki.]

Originally Posted By: Dantius

Originally Posted By: Impudent Strumpet!

Up to a limit, yes. Nobody wants Superman looking like Edward Cullen.

FYT

The popularity of that "literature" would dispel your assertion, Mister.

[Necris Omega]

I'unno. I just put a big goofy red arrow above the graphic myself.

[Superba]

Didn't find the string inside the txt file, but wandering I found a G128.png that looks fantastic. Why can't we use that screen instead? It displys land icons and switches to move from a land to the other avoiding the general map.

[Jerakeen]

Use it for what?

[Superba]

I mean instead of the current screen, thought was conceived as an alternative "control panel" to move character quickly between lands, I am wrong?

[A less presumptuous name.]

That graphic file just contains little graphics. Part of the file is used for various graphics, it's not a working template within the game. Sort of like with scale models and such, when little parts come in a large sheet and you punch them out and assemble them.

 

At least, that's my understanding.

[oldcat]

OK--I'm looking in the avobjsmisc.txt file. It looks like you are saying find:

 

Click to reveal.. Show me!

 

and change it to

 

Click to reveal.. Show me!

 

What is the change?? And whereabouts is that line of text. Sorry for being an idiot. :-p

[Mea Tulpa]

Click on "Show me!" and you'll see the text.

[oldcat]

Thanks!! I didn't realize those buttons were hot. New to this forum. This will be great. Hate hidden switches; love sparkles. :-)

[Superba]

Understood. Great feature, thank you.

[Skwish-E]

I can see some new in-game dialogue now in the tutorial.

"You notice a hidden button on the wall. It is sparkling like a vampire in the sun."

[dave s]

Is this good for the Windows version too?

The file is in Avadon Files/Scripts

[Dikiyoba]

It should.

 

Dikiyoba hasn't tried it yet, but will soon.

[dave s]

I just tried it, I'll let you know. Not sure how far into the game I have to get to find a secret door though.

[Randomizer]

It's got to be better than hurting your eyes looking for those stupid switches.

 

Edit - The first two secret switches are in the Dungeon of Avadon.

[A less presumptuous name.]

Originally Posted By: Randomizer

Edit - The first two secret switches are in the Dungeon of Avadon.

Where in the Dungeon? I don't think I've ever seen them down there. Either that or they were so obvious that I didn't realize they were hidden.

[Randomizer]

One is on the north wall of the storeroom just southwest of the altar room and the other is on the north wall to the east of the pool where the wretches are eating around a table. They are harder to see with the brick wall pattern.

[Jerakeen]

So the Windows version is packaged the way Mac v1.0 was, with a separate Avadon files folder, containing a scripts folder? If so, I'll update the instructions, as soon as anyone confirms that the edit works.

[Warmark]

Originally Posted By: The Turtle Moves

So the Windows version is packaged the way Mac v1.0 was, with a separate Avadon files folder, containing a scripts folder? If so, I'll update the instructions, as soon as anyone confirms that the edit works.

The edit works like a charm in the Windows version, never would have seen the switch in the storeroom without the sparks flying around.

Good job Turtle.

[amar]

thank you for the post I find the secret doors much more difficult to locate in avadon

[terra]

even with the tweak still difficult to find.

 

how about an arrow showing the switch, similar to the ones pointing out the rats

[Jerakeen]

This edit makes use of effects that are already programmed into the engine.

 

To make an arrow appear on the wall would require altering the graphic, which could be done, I guess, but it would be more complicated.

 

I don't know what you'd have to do to make a floating arrow appear like it does for hostiles, but I do know that it would be way beyond my abilities.

 

May I suggest the puffs of smoke? They really are quite obvious.

[Dikiyoba]

Unfortunately, this edit doesn't work on Windows unless Avadon's graphics are set to the highest setting.

 

Dikiyoba is starting to prefer wallbanging.

[Kittn]

I can't seem to find the avobjsmisc.txt file. I am running Windows. I've run a search for that file, and it doesn't exist. Also, there is no Scripts folder.

[Jerakeen]

Does right-clicking on the Avadon icon let you "Show Package Contents" with Windows? If so, try that. If you see a folder called "Contents", open it and then the "Resources" folder. The file will be in there.

 

If not, maybe someone more familiar with Windows can help you out. The file is in there somewhere.

[Dikiyoba]

Your game wouldn't work at all without the Scripts folder, so it's there. You'll have to go through a few levels of folders before you find the correct file, though.

 

Dikiyoba.

[Jerakeen]

The scripts have to be in there, but they might not be in a folder called "Scripts". The Mac version isn't packaged that way anymore. Maybe Kittn's Windows version isn't either? For some reason? Shrug.

[Kittn]

Ok, the Avadon folder is in a folder called Spiderweb Software. Inside the Avadon folder is Save folders (Save01, Save02, etc.) and 1 file called AvadonSettings.dat. Inside each save folder is header, data, journal, and items.

 

Under the start menu under Avadon is: Avadon(.exe), Avadon Instructions, Order Avadon Now, Unistall Avadon, and Map of Lynaeus.

 

Any more suggestions?

[Dikiyoba]

Aha. You're looking at the wrong Avadon folder. You've found the save files in My Documents, but the actual program is located in Program Files.

 

Dikiyoba.

[Kittn]

Found it! Can't wait to play now!

[terra]

the tweak works fine in windows

 

what sucks is the fact that there are secret switches at all

 

argh!!!!!!

[Tcheedchee]

Maybe I'll get a bashing for this and I really don't want to spoil the fun of cheating and programming, but I just can't restrain myself from asking this:

Did anyone try the candles, lanterns and lamps?

Avadon seems much brighter than some areas in Avernum and therefore the temptation to ignore them is quite high.

I did ignore these tools for a while and therefore missed the secret switch in the Avadon Dungeon, but since I've started using lamps I don't have a lot of trouble in finding the switches – admittedly with the exception of chequered brick walls like in the Avadon dungeon…

 

Originally Posted By: terra

what sucks is the fact that there are secret switches at all

I don't agree. It's half of the fun to have a game with secret passages and rooms, which can only be found, by finding secret switches, which should be a bit difficult to find.

Nothing against sparkling secret switches, if one chooses to have them. I enjoy the Wand of Many Disguises very much as well.

[A less presumptuous name.]

Originally Posted By: Tcheedchee

Did anyone try the candles, lanterns and lamps?

I have never used any sort of lighting equipment in a game that didn't feature complete or near-complete darkness.

Originally Posted By: Tcheedchee

It's half of the fun to have a game with secret passages and rooms, which can only be found, by finding secret switches, which should be a bit difficult to find.

The problem I have with the secret switches is that either I forget about them and miss every secret area, or I remember them and spend hours combing every inch of wall in every zone.

[Kiread]

Hello

Try

ob_graphic_effect = 11;

This is far more visible